BREXITEER Bernard Jenkin said Ireland is being used as a ‘proxy’ by the European Commission and Britain is being made an example of to keep other EU countries in line.

The Tory MP said the Irish government is being ‘played like a harp’ by the European Commission in Brexit negotiations.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “Dublin is being used as a proxy by the EU.

“The EU is extremely worried about setting the precedent that you can leave the EU and you can have an invisible frontier.”

Mr Jenkin said Britain is being used as an example to other countries of what could happen if they attempt to leave the EU.

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Brexit news: Bernard Jenkin said Ireland is being ‘played like a harp’

He said: “What signal would that send to the rest of the EU, countries that might start considering leaving the EU.

“So they are very keen to have a frontier in Northern Ireland.”

He also said the only reason there will be a hard border in Ireland would be if the EU wanted one.

“If we are going to leave the EU, I don’t think this is right. There will only be a frontier in Northern Ireland if the EU wants one, we do not want one.”

He added: “The Irish government are being played like a harp by the European Commission who have an agenda of their own.”

Theresa May broke off negotiations with Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday after details of a proposed Irish border deal emerged in the press, prompting the Prime Minister to leave talks to contact DUP leader Arlene Foster.

And Irish PM Leo Varadkar has also said Ireland will not stray from the terms already agreed earlier this week with Mrs May and approved with the EU before Ms Foster’s intervention.

Dublin possess a veto which could block talks progressing to trade unless the country is happy with Mrs May’s assurances on the Irish border.